We must start with more ‘oomph’ against United

It’s been another good week with goals galore, clean sheets and some breathtaking skills on show. Our last goal against Bolton on Saturday was as sublime a strike as you will see this season. The build-up was outstanding – Anelka’s patience to deliver the perfect pass, Deco’s cushioned ball off the chest, allowing Lampard to audaciously back-flick for Drogba to fire home. If this had been a goal scored by Arsenal, I’m sure we would have it on a permanent loop and pundits would be using it as “proof” Arsene Wenger is the only manager in the Premier League to bring us the beautiful game. As it was, it barely got a mention in the press.

I haven’t quite figured out Ancelotti yet. I’m not sure if he is very clever or very lucky. I imagine the truth lies somewhere in between but as it is, it is very difficult to predict what kind of set-up we see on the pitch.

Anyone who watches Chelsea regularly has seen us play narrow route one football as well as an expansive style utilising the full-backs and the midfield wide players – often in the same game. We’ve seen clinical, no frills football but we have also witnessed enough stepovers, back-heels and tricks to make Ronaldo dizzy.

Is this all being orchestrated by Ancelotti or are we seeing him give a free reign to players within a basic formation? What we have seen him do is experiment, which I like. He is still getting to know the team, especially those that have been injured or out of favour and it seems everyone is getting a chance to demonstrate their worth.

This weekend’s game against United is hugely important. Our win over Liverpool told us very little due to their mounting problems, so to really get an understanding of where we are, we need to play United and Arsenal.

As long as Ferguson is in charge at Old Trafford, they will be a threat, and as we have seen in recent years, even a bad start does not stop them winning the title – and this season they have had a good start even by their own standards. The loss against Liverpool was a one-off and one which will make them even more determined when facing us. That said, man for man, I think we are a better team.

One thing I would like to see is us starting with a little more “oomph” as the slow starts this season have made me nervous. I don’t think it is coincidence that invariably we play the first half narrow – and become more expansive in the second.

I’d wager the majority of our goals are in the second half of the match. We may get away with staggered starts against the likes of Bolton and Blackburn but we could be caught napping by United and Arsenal and find ourselves one or two down.

Arsenal too worry me, not necessarily because I think they are playing particularly well but because Wenger looks happy and relaxed, which is never a good thing. The surrender of the 2-0 lead against West Ham brought the worry lines and twitches back momentarily, but he was back to ‘Appy Arsene after the Spurs game, if not actually during it – all very reminiscent of when Arsenal actually won stuff. We need to put a stop to that as soon as possible. Beat them both and the team would receive a tremendous boost in terms of confidence too.

I get the impression that this year the league will go all the way with all three gaining the upper hand at some point during the season. I think we have that mix of experience, talent and determination but we are susceptible to the odd bout of complacency – Ancelotti needs to watch that.

Lastly, I must make special mention to those from Cork who came over for the Blackburn game. It was great to meet avid Terrace Talk readers and I said I wouldn’t mention the individual who after one beer too many, decided he couldn’t find his hotel, despite standing right in front of it, so hailed a cab and a tenner later found himself in the same spot having gone round the block. So I won’t.

We must start with more ‘oomph’ against United

Chelsea’s Ashley Cole and Atletico Madrid’s Jose Antonio Reyes tussle for the ball during last night’s clash.

Chelsea’s Michael Essien and Atletico Madrid’s Luis Perea stretch for the ball at the Vicente Calderon stadium last night. Picture: PA

HOPEFULLY, by the time you read this, I will be in the Plaza Mayor enjoying a celebratory glass of Rioja or two having watched Chelsea secure their place in the next round of the Champions League. Fingers crossed – and more of that next week.

It’s been another good week with goals galore, clean sheets and some breathtaking skills on show. Our last goal against Bolton on Saturday was as sublime a strike as you will see this season. The build-up was outstanding – Anelka’s patience to deliver the perfect pass, Deco’s cushioned ball off the chest, allowing Lampard to audaciously back-flick for Drogba to fire home. If this had been a goal scored by Arsenal, I’m sure we would have it on a permanent loop and pundits would be using it as “proof” Arsene Wenger is the only manager in the Premier League to bring us the beautiful game. As it was, it barely got a mention in the press.

I haven’t quite figured out Ancelotti yet. I’m not sure if he is very clever or very lucky. I imagine the truth lies somewhere in between but as it is, it is very difficult to predict what kind of set-up we see on the pitch.

Anyone who watches Chelsea regularly has seen us play narrow route one football as well as an expansive style utilising the full-backs and the midfield wide players – often in the same game. We’ve seen clinical, no frills football but we have also witnessed enough stepovers, back-heels and tricks to make Ronaldo dizzy.

Is this all being orchestrated by Ancelotti or are we seeing him give a free reign to players within a basic formation? What we have seen him do is experiment, which I like. He is still getting to know the team, especially those that have been injured or out of favour and it seems everyone is getting a chance to demonstrate their worth.

This weekend’s game against United is hugely important. Our win over Liverpool told us very little due to their mounting problems, so to really get an understanding of where we are, we need to play United and Arsenal.

As long as Ferguson is in charge at Old Trafford, they will be a threat, and as we have seen in recent years, even a bad start does not stop them winning the title – and this season they have had a good start even by their own standards. The loss against Liverpool was a one-off and one which will make them even more determined when facing us. That said, man for man, I think we are a better team.

One thing I would like to see is us starting with a little more “oomph” as the slow starts this season have made me nervous. I don’t think it is coincidence that invariably we play the first half narrow – and become more expansive in the second.

I’d wager the majority of our goals are in the second half of the match. We may get away with staggered starts against the likes of Bolton and Blackburn but we could be caught napping by United and Arsenal and find ourselves one or two down.

Arsenal too worry me, not necessarily because I think they are playing particularly well but because Wenger looks happy and relaxed, which is never a good thing. The surrender of the 2-0 lead against West Ham brought the worry lines and twitches back momentarily, but he was back to ‘Appy Arsene after the Spurs game, if not actually during it – all very reminiscent of when Arsenal actually won stuff. We need to put a stop to that as soon as possible. Beat them both and the team would receive a tremendous boost in terms of confidence too.

I get the impression that this year the league will go all the way with all three gaining the upper hand at some point during the season. I think we have that mix of experience, talent and determination but we are susceptible to the odd bout of complacency – Ancelotti needs to watch that.

Lastly, I must make special mention to those from Cork who came over for the Blackburn game. It was great to meet avid Terrace Talk readers and I said I wouldn’t mention the individual who after one beer too many, decided he couldn’t find his hotel, despite standing right in front of it, so hailed a cab and a tenner later found himself in the same spot having gone round the block. So I won’t.